Should You Buy SMR While It’s Under $20?

The stock has plunged in the second half of 2025, but even below $20 is still a high-risk buy.

NuScale Power (SMR +1.77%), the maker of nuclear small modular reactors, is down more than 58% in the past six months, and the stock closed at a little over $17 a share on Dec 16. The stock initially rode a wave of enthusiasm this summer, and then again this fall, reaching a 52-week high of $57 in October. Yet factors such as investors trimming stakes, analyst skepticism, and the fact that NuScale is still trying to lock down its initial customers are weighing the stock down.

Today’s Change

(1.77%) $0.28

Current Price

$16.07

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$4.5B

Day’s Range

$15.94 – $16.61

52wk Range

$11.08 – $57.42

Volume

28M

Avg Vol

24M

Gross Margin

64.95%

NuScale is still a start-up in the sense that it has much to prove as far as commercial viability is concerned. The uncertainty and potential lack of real demand are part of why the stock has slid more than 20% in the last month alone.

Image source: Getty Images.

NuScale needs new customers

NuScale has a couple of irons in the fire that could lead to significant revenue, including its first real customer and a partnership with ENTRA1. Still, the customer deal isn’t finalized, and how these relationships fully materialize likely won’t be known until 2027 or beyond.

Nuclear is back in investors’ good graces

NuScale does have the power of the nuclear resurgence behind it. Artificial intelligence (AI) data centers will need nuclear to satisfy their ever-expanding energy needs. This is a great opportunity for NuScale to grow alongside it. If the company can secure a few customers in the short term, buying the stock while it’s still below $20 may be the smart move.

Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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